Scared!

[BionicBob]

Best Wishes

Best Wishes

Danny,

I can't add to the good practical advice that's already been offered but just wanted to say I was apprehensive before my first cath just before last Christmas, too. I, too, had spent little time in a hospital for any kind of "procedure."

I think back on the cath now as being far easier than I had imagined. As far as modesty, the OR nurse was very considerate in saying she was keeping the personal equipment covered (though that was maybe the least of my worries). I don't remember any rough pain -- just a warm rush when the cardio wanted to do a release to get a better view near the end of the procedure.

I'm sure you'll do fine. Be sure to let us know when you get home

 

[geebee]

my surgery is in 4 days danny so i understand your fear. i'll hang in there if u do

marg,

I have added you to our calendar. Please stay in touch and let us know how things are going. Is there any chance you can get someone to post for you after your surgery?

Take care.

 

[Danny]

survived cath

survived cath

Hi, everyone.

My cath was yesterday and I did just fine. I was in a fog on the drive to the hospital and in admittance, but once things got going I just went with the flow. This was my first time having any sort of invasive medical procedure done. They put the IV in my wrist instead of the back of my hand, so that got to be uncomfortable after awhile. As for the modesty thing, I was "exposed" a lot more than I was led to believe by you guys ;-) but I just put it out of my mind and it was OK.

Overall, I think the experience will make it a little easier for me to face going in for the surgery. The hospital stuff is not quite as scary as it was before now that I've been through a little of it.

One of the highlights was a young technican in the cath lab who had OHS 3 months ago. She had bypass surgery for a congentical problem and she was very reassuring.

The test results: The aortic valve definitely needs to be replaced but not the aortic root (I suspected it might since my cardiologist talks about how enlarged it is -- the surgeon might differ). They want me to have a TEE sometime next week to give the surgeon more information. After that, I'll meet with the surgeon who my cardiologist thinks is the best in the area.

Question: When I work up this morning, I noticed some dried blood that had evidently leaked under the bandage and down the crease of my groin while I was sleeping. Is this normal?

 

[bvdr]

(Asked by Danny) Question: When I work up this morning, I noticed some dried blood that had evidently leaked under the bandage and down the crease of my groin while I was sleeping. Is this normal?


Danny, It is very common. As long as it has now totally stopped and you are not getting increasing pain and/or swelling at the site I think you are still in the normal range.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Can you feel a 'lump' under the bandage?
If so, you may have a "Hematoma" and
should probably at least advise your cardiologist.

The 'usual' treatment is to simply rest with
your leg elevated (or in bed) and eventually
it will go down. The one time I had a hematoma
I don't recall being put on any medication but
when I severely bruised my shin, I was told
that Coumadin is often prescribed but since I
was already on it for my mechanical valve,
that I should simply elevate my leg as much
as possible.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Danny]

AL,

I don't feel any lump, but then the bandage is thick so it would have to be pretty large for me to feel anything. I have some soreness but it has gotten better through the day. There hasn't been any more blood since last night.

Danny

 

[ALCapshaw2]

AL,

I don't feel any lump, but then the bandage is thick so it would have to be pretty large for me to feel anything. I have some soreness but it has gotten better through the day. There hasn't been any more blood since last night.

Danny

It sounds like you are having a pretty normal recovery from the cath. I only had one hematoma from a cath but it was HUGE, about the size of a Hostess Twinkie. Most likely it developed because I went back to work too soon and was 'over-doing it. OR, maybe it might have just happened anyway. It went away but I had to take a week of 'rest' to let it go down. After that, I was always pretty careful for a few days after subsequent cath's.

'AL'

 

[ar bee]

collagen plug

collagen plug

according to my cardio, the collagen is a mere question of whether your insurance covers for it or not. The plug costs the equivalent of USD 300.- where I live and is considered as non-essential to the procedure.

The plug certainly makes the "hours after" much easier.

well2allofu
ar bee

 

[tobagotwo]

Danny,

As far as exposure, it really wasn't an issue during my cath. Of course, I didn't have a cute cath lab nurse, either.

You're a lot younger, so maybe they figured you were worth exposing...

Best wishes,

 

[Danny]

Bob,

The "exposure" was mostly after cath lab while the nurses were applying pressure and then bandages. If they had any un-professional motivation, I'm sure they were sadly disappointed!

Danny

 

[Ross]

Even when they are impressed, they never show it, so don't worry about it. Modesty at a hospital is completely out of the question.

 

[Wise]

Even when they are impressed, they never show it, so don't worry about it. Modesty at a hospital is completely out of the question.

You're right about modesty Ross. I was allowed to shave myself prior to my catheter ablation. My shaving job didn't suit the nurses, so they did it anyway. This kind of thing is hard on us non-exhibitionists.

Danny, I am glad you're doing well. It is good that we don't get "ratings" from the nurses though.

 

[gadgetman]

Even when they are impressed, they never show it, so don't worry about it. Modesty at a hospital is completely out of the question.

Modesty????? What Modesty????? You should realize something is up (so to speak ) when they hand you that gown (what, it's used in nudist colonies ????). In the next several months you'll get thrown (gently of course), moved, rolled over, bathed and poked. Modesty will go out the window (or down to the floor ) almost immediately. When I had my 4 week follow-up visit with my surgeon his female assistant did the initial exam. When it came time to look at my leg scars (I had 3 by-passes done at the same time) I started pulling up the leg of my pants. She said, "no, no, DROP THEM". Oh well, undo the belt, drop the zipper, and "HERE I AM" . Did notice no one was fighting to get into the room at the time . Oh well, know when to hold them, know when to fold them .

Otherwise, good that you came through the cath OK. More new and interesting things to come .

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Ross]

This kind of thing is hard on us non-exhibitionists.

Another one of my many jobs here is to corrupt you. I'll soon have your running naked and carefree with the best of us!

 

[bvdr]

I too am very modest and prefer to be covered well. I have also gone into surgery several times knowing almost everyone that was going to be in the operating room. I can't say it didn't bother me but I really knew that they could have cared less about what I looked like and were more concerned about doing a good job. As a nurse, nakedness was sure preferred to all those clothes that just got in the way and slowed things down. It sometimes seemed that we spent more time in the winter undressing and redressing little old ladies in the ER than we actually spent treating them. I guess it is all about what side of the sheet you are on.

One day soon after my OHS my husband told me how messy I looked when he and the rest of the family came to see me right after surgery. He then made the comment that he would have thought someone would have at least covered me up with a sheet before they all came in. My response was, "Oh, no! You must be kidding!". He laughed and said he was kidding about the sheet but not about the looking very messy.

 

[LisaD0365]

I too am very modest and prefer to be covered well. I have also gone into surgery several times knowing almost everyone that was going to be in the operating room. I can't say it didn't bother me but I really knew that they could have cared less about what I looked like and were more concerned about doing a good job. As a nurse, nakedness was sure preferred to all those clothes that just got in the way and slowed things down. It sometimes seemed that we spent more time in the winter undressing and redressing little old ladies in the ER than we actually spent treating them. I guess it is all about what side of the sheet you are on.

One day soon after my OHS my husband told me how messy I looked when he and the rest of the family came to see me right after surgery. He then made the comment that he would have thought someone would have at least covered me up with a sheet before they all came in. My response was, "Oh, no! You must be kidding!". He laughed and said he was kidding about the sheet but not about the looking very messy.

I have worked in the nursing profession for 25 yrs...(egads....that made me sound old... )...and whenever someone was being modest...I tried my best to reassure them that it was fine...I see tons of people...doesn't bother me...but made sure they were covered all the time when/where applicable...but when I was having anything done...I was so modest and the nurses would tell me the same thing I would tell my pts...and I was like yeah right...but now I am the patient....once when I was in labor with my little girl 2 yrs ago...I was being checked for dilation and the door was wide open...and no curtain...when I complained the nurse said..NOONE IS IN THE HALLWAY...SO DON'T BE SUCH A PRUDE..BESIDES...YOU WEREN'T MODEST TO GET YOURSELF PREGNANT......I complained later to the nurse manager...so I hope something was at least said or done...My hospital of choice is a teaching hospital so most of the time there are student doctors following the doc and you lose most modesty...when I went in for my MVR...I had so many students coming in to listen to my heart...(never heard stenosis before I guess)...I should have charged them...would be a rich woman....

 

[KAJ]

Hi Danny,

Glad to hear the procedure went well! My cardiologist also thought my root looked enlarged. After the surgery, the first thing I asked the surgeon (once I was off the ventilator) was about the arotic root. He said it looked fine. Hopefully yours will as well.

Karl

 

[kcpub]

Thank you for your honesty

Thank you for your honesty

Hello,

I have been lurking here for a couple of days and put off joining because of a silly reason: joining would be another step in accepting as reality what I have been dreading with a sense of doom for years: that I need to have OHS to repair my aortic valve.

Dear Danny,

Thank you for sharing your true feelings, as I'm sure that many reading can relate. My husband (43) just found out about 10 days ago that he needs to have an AVR, so in a whirlwind, he's had to accept this, research valve options, etc. I am hoping he will read your post (and these others) and gain a sense of comfort from those in his same situation.

His cath and surgery are scheduled for 4/26 and 4/27.

KC

 

[Danny]

Post-cath leg tingling

Post-cath leg tingling

It has been 5 days since my cath and I have noticed for the past several days that I sometimes have a slight tingling sensation in my leg -- almost like it is going "to sleep" but not near that strong. The cath site itself looks very good but the brusing around it started to show up a couple of days ago. I think the brusing might have started to decline now.

Is this all normal?

 

[Danny]

Dear Danny,

Thank you for sharing your true feelings, as I'm sure that many reading can relate. My husband (43) just found out about 10 days ago that he needs to have an AVR, so in a whirlwind, he's had to accept this, research valve options, etc. I am hoping he will read your post (and these others) and gain a sense of comfort from those in his same situation.

His cath and surgery are scheduled for 4/26 and 4/27.

KC

KC,

Welcome! I think you and your husband will find a lot of support and comfort here. When I got the news, I felt all alone, confused and terribly frightened. I'm still a bit frightened but the people here are wonderful and have helped me so much!

In a way, I envy your husband's situation. I still haven't met with a surgeon and, though I know surgery is in my near future, I don't have a date. Everyone says the pre-surgery anxiety and waiting is the worst part. Your husband will be in and out and on the road to recovery before he has much chance to think about it!

My mother has a saying: "If you have to eat a toad, it's best not to stare at it for too long!"

Danny